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Metalworking

Metal fabrication has historically been an important part of the East Tennessee economy and a wide variety of parts are made for many industries such as aerospace, auto, medical, and machinery. The region provides excellent access to an existing network of raw materials suppliers from steel to plastics to automotive electronics.

Training for welders, machinists, lathe operators, and many others is provided at four Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology located throughout the region. More than 150 companies employ 7,200, including fabricators in:

Sheet

Structural (ships/boats)

Stamping

Ornamental

Finishing services

Wages

Laborer

$9.00-10.25 / hour

CAM Press Operator

$10.00-12.00 / hour

Lathe Operator

$11.00- 12.50 / hour

Forklift Driver

$10.50-11.50 / hour

Quality Control Tecnhician

$10.50 - 13.50 / hour

Production Foreman

$38,000 - 46,000

Welder

$16.00 - 18.00 / hour

Source: Staffing Solutions, EmployBridge, Knoxville, TN

Business Climate Pro-business environment - Favorable business tax climate consistently in the top 1/3 of U.S. states

Attractive state, local, and utility incentives for new job creation and capital investment

State taxes ranking among the nation's lowest

No state property tax

Competitive corporate taxes

Available targeted jobs tax credit

Competitive gas, water, and sewer rates

Electricity generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority at rates 13% below the U.S. industrial average

Electricity reliability at 99.999% since 2000

Abundant water supply

Gas by East Tennessee Natural Gas

Available Buildings and Sites

Building costs 19% below the national average (RSMeans Construction Index 2015)